Aircraft cabin airflow nozzles and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Aircraft cabin airflow nozzles and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cabin air nozzle that in turn has a first passageway bounded at least in part by a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced apart from the first wall portion. The second wall portion can have a first surface exposed to air within the first passageway, and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The first passageway can have an exit between the first and second wall portions, and the second passageway can be positioned to direct air along the second surface of the wall portion.

We claim: 
     
       1. An aircraft system, comprising:
 an aircraft fuselage having an interior surface enclosing an aircraft cabin containing air; 
 a plurality of cabin air nozzles carried by and spaced apart along a length of the aircraft fuselage, with individual nozzles including:
 a first air passageway bounded at least in part by a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced apart from the first wall portion, the second wall portion being curved inwardly relative to the interior surface, the second wall portion having a first surface exposed to a first flow of air in the first passageway, and a second, outwardly exposed surface facing toward the cabin, exposed to the cabin air, and facing away from and aligned in parallel with the first surface, the first passageway having a first exit between the first and second wall portions; and 
 a second air passageway having a second exit offset from the first exit in an upstream direction and positioned to direct a second flow of air along the second surface of the second wall portion, wherein both the first and second exits are intersected by a cross-sectional plane that intersects an adjacent wall of the aircraft cabin. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a common flow passageway coupled to and positioned upstream of the first and second air passageways, and wherein the first and second air passageways are parallel to each other upstream of the first and second exits. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second air passageway is bounded at least in part by the second surface of the second wall portion, and by a third wall portion spaced apart from the second surface. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  wherein the second wall portion has an opening positioned to provide fluid communication between the first and second air passageways. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4  wherein the second air passageway is positioned to direct the second flow of air along a target region of the second surface, and wherein the opening is positioned upstream of the target region, and wherein the system further comprises a flow straightener and back pressure device positioned in the first air passageway downstream of the opening to divert flow into the opening. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second air passageway includes multiple openings extending through the second wall portion. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second air passageway is positioned to direct the second flow of air along a target region of the second surface, and wherein the target region of the second surface is generally horizontal. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second air passageway is positioned to direct the second flow of air along a target region of the second surface, and wherein the target region of the second surface is inclined upwardly in a direction of the flow along the target region. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second air passageway is positioned to direct the second flow of air along a target region of the second outwardly exposed surface, and wherein the target region of the second outwardly exposed surface is convexly curved. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second air passageways each have a fixed geometry. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat positioned adjacent to the interior surface, and wherein the first and second passageways are positioned over the seat and proximate to the interior surface. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  wherein the second, outwardly exposed surface includes a first region oriented generally upwardly and a second region oriented generally laterally, and wherein the second exit is positioned to direct air along both the first and second regions of the second surface.